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Contact: Graham Collingridge - 01962 847277 - [email protected]

1. Summary

The Mental Health Commissioning Plan for 2003/06 is enclosed for comment before presentation to the Executive Member for Social Care. It describes how Social Services plans to meet national and local requirements in response to the Mental Health National Service Framework.

2 Introduction

2.1 The Social Services Department produces a Commissioning Plan for each care group on an annual basis to outline the key priorities, action and spending plans as the local response to national directives and local policy. The key components of each Commissioning Plan have been summarised in Delivering Better Services, published June 2003.

2.2 The Mental Health Commissioning Plan 2003-06 (Appendix) summarises priorities and actions for adults with mental health problems aged 18-64 years. It describes the County Council's contribution to the implementation of the Mental Health National Service Framework. The action plan summarises key requirements for 2003/04 and is currently under review for 2004/05. The action are conducted in partnership with Primary Care Trusts and Mental Health Partnership Trusts.

3 Progress

3.1 The Social Services Department will have been able to implement the majority of planned actions, subject to available resources. Key success areas since April 2003 include:

(i) the implementation of integrated management arrangements in each locality.

(ii) the recruitment of Approved Social Workers, Senior Practitioners, and a Practice Development Worker.

(iii) the identification of resources for additional support to Carers.

(iv) conferences with services users, carers and other stakeholders on the `Recovery Model'.

(v) complimentary inspection report from the Mental Health Act Commission.

(vi) improved arrangements for delivering the Care Programme Approach.

(vii) improved performance against NSF targets, including Assertive Outreach Teams.

3.2 A significant area of challenge has been the development of joint information systems. This is due to the introduction of a new National Programme for IT in the NHS. This effectively halted the development of a locally developed solution in preference to procurement from a few nationally approved system providers. Discretionary use of local funding by Strategic Health Authorities was also removed. Contingency arrangements are now in place across Hampshire. The Social Services SWIFT system will be rolled out into community mental health teams. The timescale for a national integrated mental health information system is not known.

3.3 The key areas for service development in mental health include the establishment of assertive outreach, crisis resolution and home treatment, and early intervention. Little funding has been identified for the latter two priorities. The funding for all new services is directed through PCTs; there has been no growth in Social Services Mental Health Grant, which has been maintained at 2001/02 levels.

3.4 The lack of progress in implementing the Mental Health NSF is a national issue. All Strategic Health Authorities have recently been required to ask PCTs to `refresh' their Local Delivery Plans, with a particular emphasis on ensuring improved progress in mental health. This will need to done in partnership with Social Services. The outcome of this should be included in revised financial plans available in the New Year.

3.5 The revised commissioning plan for 2004-05 will need to take into account any significant changes in planned investment by PCTs. It will also need to reflect the outcome of the Autumn monitoring of NSF implementation. Comments are invited to assist in the development of revised plans.

4 Recommendation

1 That the Mental Health Commissioning Plan is considered, with comments and a recommendation to accept the plan made to the Executive Member for Social Care.

Background Papers

Section 100D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Documents

The following documents disclose facts or matter in which this report or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of the report.

N.B The list excludes:

1 Published works.

2 Documents which disclose exempts or confidential information as defined in the Act.

NONE